Omaha daily bee., 1887-08-28
Abuse of Convicts in Georgia,

Auc uutoiu SIoIy VI OutTdyc duu CrlIue
that have been practiced under the con
vict lease system in Georgia will proba-
bly, be fully disclosed now that Governor
Gordon has been compelled byrecent de.
velopments to intcrpose the executive
authority for the protection of the con-
vIcts. Undoubtedly it will be a chapter
of brutality and barbarism almost with
out u parallel in any civilized country.
Casual evidence of the terrible abuses
practiced by the lessees or their agents
has been furnished from time to time for
several years, but no detailed and author
itative account of the outrages perpe-
trated has been made public. Four years
ago the prison physician furnished the
governor with report setting forth the
facts that had come under his observa.
ton, but it was kept from the
public, and has only just now
been given to the press. 1t IS re-
ferred to as shocking recital, and when
what has since occurred shall be added
to it, the terrible character of the con-
nected story may perhaps be imagined.
The men who have controlled this lease
system were and are influential in politics
and society. 1t has been source of large
income to them, and most of them have
become wealthy from the labors of the
unfortunate victims of crime. They have
used their power to avert Investigation
and silence criticism until the public ear
could no longer remain deaf to the appeals
of the hapless victims of inhumanity and
brutal cruelty, and the popular demand
hot no nsisr inn
than the poor wretches who they have
mercilessly outraged, shall be summarily
deprived OF their valuable franchises.
Governor Gordon seems to be in full ac-
cord with this feeling, and since he
can have nothing to fear and no
| favOrs to ask at the hands of the men
who have so wantonly abused their privi-
leges and disregarded every dictate of
humanity it may be expected that the
executive authority will be fully exerted
to put an end to the utterly disgraceful
state OF affairs that has existed.
Heartily as Governor Gordon is to be
commended for the action he has taken,
it is. however, not complimentary to the
people of Georgia that they have per-
mitted to continue so long condition of
things of which the more intelligent
among them must have had knowledge
for years. and which certainly has been
known to most Of their official represen-
tatives, 1t is fair to presume that Gov
ernor Gordon himself has been LONG ia
miliar in general way at leasi
with the outrages practiced under thu
lease system, as we're his prede
cessers in the executive Office for mum.
Der Of years past, one of whom sup
pressed report detailing the crimes
committed upon the convicts and the
hardships and privati0ns to which they
were subjected. The political power o,
the lessees doubtless explains the silence
of these officials. who could have had
little faith in tho people. but shall we
look to the same explanation to account
for the silence of the press and the pul
pit? Has the voice of the humanitarian
and the philanthropist been hushed
until now by the same sordid and heart
less power? If so Georgia has little to
boast of in the awakening 10 the neces-
sity for reform it has so tardily expert
enced, due perhaps quite as much to ex
ternat influences now so generally a
h work-such, for example. as the confer
cnce of charities and correction AS +
an internal growth of better principle
and sentiments. Still the awakening i
to be welcomed. and It may be hoped tn
demand it has aroused will not be salts
fled until the needed reform is thorough,
and permanently accomplished.